What we all know up to now about upcoming options

We’re mere days away from steady Android 16 rolling out to Pixel gadgets and the remainder of the Android clan, and Google has already confirmed all of the options coming with the steady platform launch. We’ve additionally gotten our palms on Android 16 QPR betas, which provides us a peek on the options anticipated to return with the following platform launch, Android 17. These noticed options and the opposite options that weren’t confirmed for Android 16 assist us paint an image of what’s presumably coming with Android 17. Right here’s what we all know up to now in regards to the subsequent huge platform replace for Android!

Android 17: Identify

Google used to call Android variations with dessert codenames, nevertheless it strayed away from that custom with the discharge of Android 10, selecting to stay with solely the model quantity for all future releases. Consequently, Android 17 will most probably be recognized merely as “Android 17,” with no dessert codename formally used.

Nevertheless, Google nonetheless makes use of the dessert codename internally. Android 15’s codename was Vanilla Ice Cream, whereas Android 16 jumped all the best way again to “B” with Baklava. We haven’t but noticed Android 17’s dessert codename, however it is going to most probably be a dessert that begins with “C.” Do you may have any guesses on what it may very well be?

Android 17 anticipated launch date

Google has been switching issues up with the Android 15 and Android 16 releases. Android 15 decoupled the platform replace from the Pixel 9 collection, giving the software program launch its unbiased timeline. Android 16 gave the platform a brand new timetable, with a significant SDK launch in Q2 and a minor SDK launch promised for This autumn.

For Android 17, we presume Google will proceed on the trail it set for itself with Android 16. Thus, until issues change for Android 17, we anticipate a significant SDK launch in Q2 2026 and a minor SDK launch in This autumn 2026.

You gained’t have to attend that lengthy to check out Android 17, although. With Android 16, Google launched the primary Developer Preview in November. If the corporate sticks to this launch plan, we anticipate the primary Android 17 Developer Preview builds to be launched in November 2025.

Intrusion Logging

Google introduced Intrusion Logging as a brand new function in Android 16 that may assist customers detect if their machine has been compromised. Intrusion Logging collects “exercise logs” which embody particulars resembling USB connection occasions, community data like searching historical past, app installs, Bluetooth connections, lock display screen data, and Wi-Fi connections. Your exercise logs are encrypted utilizing your Google account password and machine lock display screen, making certain solely you’ll be able to view them. These logs are saved in a “non-public and encrypted Google Drive,” offering additional safety towards unauthorized entry.

Whereas the API is already obtainable in Android 16, Google hasn’t but built-in Intrusion Logging into Google Play Providers. Consequently, the function will roll out later within the 12 months, presumably as a part of an Android 16 QPR, and even Android 17.

Enhancements to Manufacturing facility Reset Safety

At The Android Present: I/O Version, Google introduced that Android’s current Manufacturing facility Reset Safety mechanisms will turn into much more highly effective later within the 12 months. Whereas Android already has a number of mechanisms to discourage bypassing the setup display screen after triggering a manufacturing facility reset, these new protections will limit all functionalities on gadgets which might be reset with out the proprietor’s authorization.

Android will doubtless detect if somebody bypassed the setup wizard (to bypass earlier manufacturing facility reset safety mechanisms), and can thus drive one other manufacturing facility reset cyclically, stopping unauthorized use till the person proves possession.

Since these upgrades are coming later within the 12 months, they won’t be a part of the primary steady launch of Android 16. As an alternative, we anticipate this replace to return with the Android 16 QPR1 replace for Pixel gadgets after which to the broader platform with Android 17.

“So, the updates for Materials Expressive are going to be obtainable on Pixel gadgets first later this 12 months, nevertheless it’s not going to be a part of the general public launch in June,” confirmed Allen Huang, Google’s Director of Product Administration for Pixel and Android system UI.

This sweeping UI replace is a major step in Google’s ongoing effort to make Android and Put on OS extra visually participating, emotionally resonant, and interactive. A few of its highlights embody:

• Springier, natural-feeling animations that improve contact interactions
• New icon shapes and refreshed typography
• Background blur results for depth and focus
• Up to date coloration themes
• Dwelling display screen and Fast Settings enhancements for a extra dynamic structure
• Visible redesigns for a lot of Google apps, bringing them according to the brand new expressive aesthetic

You may be taught extra about Materials 3 Expressive in our deep dive article.

Android 17: Leaked and upcoming options

Google has shared some particulars about Android 17 via its official bulletins, however we’ve noticed a ton of modifications in Google’s QPR updates that assist paint a extra full image of the modifications we are able to anticipate to see within the closing Android 17 launch.

Google’s QPR updates and what they inform us about future Android releases

The Android platform follows an annual launch schedule, which OEMs and the world at giant have entry to. Google additionally follows a second public launch schedule for its Pixel gadgets within the type of QPR updates.

QPR refers to Quarterly Platform Launch, an replace observe during which updates are launched as soon as each three months (quarter). So, we usually get an annual Android platform replace on Pixels, adopted by three QPR releases after which the following annual Android platform replace.

Whereas the options included within the Android platform replace are closing and obtainable to the world, options launched within the QPR updates can be found completely to Pixel gadgets till the following Android platform replace incorporates them. Additional, Google additionally runs a separate beta program for the QPRs months upfront.

This provides us conditions the place we are able to check out new options coming to Android 17 (by checking them out in Android 16 QPR1 betas) earlier than the steady Android 16 replace is even launched! Later QPR betas give us much more options that may be chalked as much as the following platform launch, until they’re fully Pixel-exclusive.

Because of this, we’ve got an inventory of options which might be coming to approaching Android 16 QPR releases for Pixel gadgets, that are additionally prone to be added to the following Android platform replace, Android 17. Let’s examine them out!

Native Community Safety

Android 16 Beta 3 formally added the power to check an upcoming “Native Community Safety” function, which Google says is deliberate for a future Android main launch, which we presume is Android 17.

Primarily, any app with the “INTERNET” permission can talk with the Web worldwide and with gadgets on the person’s native community. Native Community Safety will finally require apps to request particular permission to entry the native community. With Android 16 Beta 3, Google is giving app builders an opportunity to check if their apps are affected by this upcoming change.

With the above-mentioned Materials 3 Expressive modifications, Google can be planning a huge UI overhaul for Android and expressive animations to accompany it. These modifications had been noticed and activated inside Android 16 Beta 4, and can be found extensively with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, however they’re unlikely to be obtainable with the Android 16 steady launch. As an alternative, they may include a future QPR launch or Android 17 and past within the steady department.

As a part of the UI overhaul, we anticipate modifications throughout a number of necessary areas, like standing bar icons, clock font, mixed notifications, Fast Settings panel, cleaner lock display screen with collapsed notifications, and a lot extra. The modifications are fairly voluminous to listing right here, so try our unique protection for the entire scoop.

Ambient At all times On Show: Blurred wallpaper on lock display screen

Google launched wallpaper assist on the At all times On Show again in 2018 with Android 9 Pie, and briefly carried out it on the Pixel 3 collection earlier than eradicating it on future fashions. As soon as once more, Google has been engaged on an AOD wallpaper implementation known as “ambient AOD.” We managed to get the function working earlier than its launch for these screenshots, showcasing the lock display screen wallpaper and the corresponding AOD counterparts:

As anticipated, the function remains to be a piece in progress and fairly buggy in the meanwhile. Code for the function suggests that it’s going to solely be supported by specific shows, indicating that it may very well be restricted to some upcoming gadgets, just like the Pixel 10 collection.

Whereas Google didn’t showcase the cut up notification and fast settings panel when it confirmed off the Materials 3 Expressive modifications coming to the working system, the corporate hasn’t deserted the change, as we may spot progress within the code with the discharge of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. The function may arrive in future Android 16 QPRs to Pixels and subsequently with Android 17 to the remainder of the Android ecosystem. Nevertheless, a number of OEMs already provide the cut up panels as an choice, so many people don’t really need to attend to make use of this function.

Notification abstract

We’ve discovered strings inside Android 16 Beta 3 that trace at a brand new “notification summaries” web page. This “notification summaries” web page might be positioned between the prevailing notification historical past and the upcoming notification bundle choices below Settings > Notifications. The brand new web page could have a single toggle to allow the function, labeled “use notification summaries.”

The function’s description states that it’s going to “mechanically summarize dialog notifications from apps.” Solely messaging apps appropriately categorize their notifications as dialog notifications, so solely these could be AI summarized. The system can even allow you to exclude apps from having their notifications summarized.

It’s not clear when the function will arrive on Android. It may not make it to the steady Android 16 launch, however come via on an Android 16 QPR launch and even on Android 17.

Gemini-powered Notification “Magic Actions”

In 2018, Android 9 launched Sensible Reply, which gives advised replies as tappable chips beneath a notification for fast responses. Android 10 expanded this with Sensible Actions, providing contextual actions based mostly on notification content material. This Sensible Actions function powers the “Open Maps” chip when a notification contains an tackle. Sensible Replies and Sensible Actions are powered by on-device machine studying fashions, however are restricted to quick, canned replies that may not absolutely respect the context.

We’ve noticed proof with Android 16 that implies Google is creating a extra superior model of Sensible Actions, dubbed “Magic Actions.” When the Magic Motion function is enabled, Android will conceal Sensible Actions and as an alternative prominently show a brand new Magic Motion button. This button is slated to obtain “particular visible remedy,” presumably indicating a customized animation when it seems or is tapped. Speculatively, the function may faucet into Google’s Gemini mannequin to generate extra personalised and highly effective actions.

Recents display screen modifications

With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, Google made some refined modifications to the Recents display screen. Beforehand, solely the app’s icon appeared above its activity. Now, the Recents display screen shows the app’s icon, title, and a downward-pointing arrow inside a small pill-shaped button overlaid on the duty.

Displaying the app’s title is a welcome clarification, clearly figuring out which app corresponds to every activity preview. Essentially the most impactful change, nonetheless, is the addition of the downward arrow. This icon is extensively understood to point a further menu, so its presence ought to assist extra customers notice they’ll entry additional actions immediately from the recents display screen.

The devoted “Screenshot” and “Choose” buttons at the moment are additionally enclosed in pill-shaped containers, making a extra constant look within the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 launch. Moreover, the beforehand strong grey background has been changed with a blurred model of the person’s wallpaper or underlying content material, a visible impact aligning with Google’s new Materials 3 Expressive theme.

Standby for Hub Mode

The proof for this isn’t robust, however Google may very well be engaged on Standby for Hub mode, much like iOS’s Standby Mode, which transforms the iPhone right into a mini sensible show. When Hub Mode arrives on Pixels with Android 16 QPR1 (and different Android gadgets with Android 17), customers will have the ability to seamlessly change between their display screen saver (displaying clocks, picture frames, and so forth.) and their widgets, much like how iOS’s Standby Mode features.

Android’s Desktop Mode

With Android 16 Beta 4, we managed to activate Android’s desktop mode. Given the function’s unfinished state, we anticipate it to reach both with a later Android 16 QPR launch or with Android 17.

In comparison with the present, barebones desktop interface that seems while you join a Pixel machine to an exterior show, Android’s new desktop mode truly shows the taskbar and standing bar. The taskbar is a giant addition, because it gives entry to your pinned apps and a greater model of the app drawer. The taskbar may also present current apps whereas in desktop mode, making it simpler to multitask.

It’s additionally doable to launch a number of apps in floating home windows concurrently utilizing the brand new desktop mode. Additional, you’ll be able to freely transfer, resize, or snap home windows to the aspect, identical to on desktop working programs. This makes it simple to pull and drop content material from one app to a different, offered the apps you’re utilizing assist drag-and-drop.

This function nonetheless wants extra work, so we anticipate to be taught extra within the coming months.

These are all of the modifications we anticipate to see within the Android 17 platform replace in 2026. Tell us your favourite upcoming function within the feedback under!